Car rental Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland - one of the best countries to discover with a rental car

Northern Ireland is only 140 kilometers long and 180 kilometers wide, which makes it a perfect place to enjoy by car. Green hills, 500 kilometers of coastline and vast forests - the country is perfect for hiking, fishing and golfing. When traveling through Northern Ireland you will experience breath-taking landscapes, restful tranquility and many impressive destinations. Northern Ireland doesn't only offer heaps of amazing attractions for outdoor-lovers, it can also convince with big city life in its capital city of Belfast.

For tourists, renting a car in Northern Ireland is the best solution. Thanks to Driveboo, you can compare many offers of Irish rental car companies and book a rental car easy in advance, online from home. This way, you will be sure, that you chose the best offer for you.

Renting a car for a trip around Northern Ireland at the airport

The easiest and most popular way to travel to Northern Ireland is by plane. A flight from mainland Europe takes about two hours and from London it is only a little over an hour. The whole country is essentially served by two airports, Belfast International Airport (BFS) and Belfast City Airport (BHD). The former can be found 21 km outside of the city. From there you can easily get to Belfast city center with your rental car. Belfast City Airport, on the other hand, is located right in the city - only 5 km from its center.

Are there any regulations for renting a car in Northern Ireland?

In order to book a rental car in Northern Ireland, you must be at least 21 years old (it may vary by vehicle category) and have been in possession of a driver's license for at least one year. For drivers under 25, a young driver's fee can be charged. Some car rental companies in Northern Ireland set a maximum age of the driver at 69 years old.

What are the speed limits in Northern Ireland?

You have to remember that, in contrast to the Republic of Ireland, in Northern Ireland speed is indicated in miles per hour and not in kilometers per hour, which can be confusing at first. The speed limits in Northern Ireland are as follows:

What else should I know about driving a rental car in Northern Ireland?

• Northern Ireland has left-hand traffic. For drivers accustomed to right-hand traffic, traveling on Irish roads may prove to be a challenge. Remember to always turn left while entering a roundabout. Less experienced drivers should start their trip on less frequented roads.
• In Northern Ireland, there is an alcohol limit of 0.8 for all motorists and motorcyclists.
• Both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times.

Discover Northern Ireland with your rental car

The mild climate and the idyllic landscape are perfect for a round trip across Northern Ireland by rental car. Northern Ireland is also a great destination for a family vacation with children. With your own rental car, you can discover the north of the Green Island comfortably and easily.

The most famous and recommended sights in Northern Ireland include:

• Belfast
• Giants Causeway
• Bushmills
• Carrick-A-Rede
• The Dark Hedges
• Dunluce Castle
• White Rocks

As the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is the second largest city on the Irish island after Dublin. Around 280,000 people live in the metropolis, which is located on the Bay of Belfast on the river Lagan. Belfast has its own seaport and is home to Queen's University Belfast, as well as both Anglican and Catholic dioceses. To get to know the city in all its facets, it makes sense for tourists to travel with a rental car. Tourists visiting Belfast should definitely see the City Hall and the Royal Avenue. If you have rented a car in Belfast, you can easily get to East Belfast, which is about five kilometers east of the city center. It is home to Stormont Castle, the seat of the Government of Northern Ireland. Music fans will also get their money's worth in Belfast: The city is the seat of the Ulster Orchestra - the only symphony orchestra in Northern Ireland.

The Giants Causeway consists of 60-million-year-old basalt columns towered up to 12 meters above sea level and dug up to 25 meters deep in the ground. They spread for several kilometers along the coast and are the remnants of an already extinct volcano. Almost all of them have a 6-sided shape and are listed as the Unesco World Heritage Site. Definitely impressive! It is a must-see attraction in Northern Ireland!

The small suspension bridge Carrick-A-Rede is well known and sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before entering it. It is, however, definitely worth a wait. The surrounding landscape is absolutely unique. Unfortunately, you cannot enter the bridge after the opening hours.

The Dark Hedges is a scary avenue with quaint trees which is known from the television series, "Games of Thrones". It is a little hidden but is a highlight for photography fans.

The beautiful beach section known as the White Rocks invites you to walk on the sand and between the dunes. The coast here is lined with large white cliffs that provides a beautiful and picturesque sight.

Dunluce Castle may be one of many old castles on the island - but it is special! It is located directly on a rock by the ocean and is only accessible via a bridge. Here you can perfectly photograph the sunset in conjunction with the castle and the ocean - but even without a camera, it is a great sight you should not miss. This is another spot in Northern Ireland that should be familiar to the fans of "Game of Thrones."